Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Genesis 6:1 mean when it says 'men began to multiply on the face of the earth'?
A: According to Rashi, this verse marks the beginning of a period where humanity grew in numbers but also in corruption. The multiplication of people led to increased wickedness, as described in the following verses. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 108a) explains that this was before the Flood, when people disregarded Hashem's will.
Q: Why does Genesis 6:1 mention 'daughters were born to them' specifically?
A: The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 26:5) explains that the emphasis on daughters being born highlights the moral decline of that generation. People began treating marriage and relationships improperly, focusing on physical beauty rather than righteousness, which contributed to the corruption leading to the Flood.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Genesis 6:1 today?
A: The verse teaches that population growth alone is not a sign of success if it isn't accompanied by moral and spiritual growth. The Rambam (Hilchos De'os 1:7) emphasizes that true human progress requires ethical behavior and adherence to Torah values, not just physical expansion.
Q: How does Orthodox Judaism interpret the phrase 'when men began to multiply' in this verse?
A: Traditional Jewish commentators like Ibn Ezra explain that this was a turning point where people became numerous enough to form societies, but instead of building a just world, they became corrupt. The Sforno adds that their multiplication led to arrogance and rebellion against Hashem's laws.
Q: Why is Genesis 6:1 important in understanding the story of Noah?
A: This verse sets the stage for the moral deterioration that led to the Flood. As the Talmud (Sanhedrin 57a) explains, the increase in population brought increased wrongdoing, showing why Hashem brought judgment through Noah's generation. It contrasts human potential with the consequences of abandoning righteousness.
Context in the Torah Narrative
This verse (Bereshit 6:1) marks a transition in the Torah's account of early humanity, setting the stage for the moral decline that leads to the Flood. It follows the genealogies of Adam's descendants and precedes the corruption that prompts Hashem's judgment.
Rashi's Commentary
Rashi explains that the phrase "when men began to multiply" refers to the generation of Enosh, when idolatry first became widespread (based on Sanhedrin 56b). The mention of daughters being born is significant because, as Rashi notes from Bereishit Rabbah (26:5), this generation began treating women as objects of beauty and lust rather than as partners in building righteous families.
Ibn Ezra's Perspective
Ibn Ezra focuses on the phrase "on the face of the earth," suggesting this indicates humanity had spread across the entire inhabitable world by this time. The population growth led to moral challenges as society became more complex and decentralized.
Midrashic Insights
Halachic Implications
The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 5:4) derives from this narrative that unchecked population growth without moral guidance leads to societal breakdown. The verse serves as a warning about the need for ethical boundaries even in times of prosperity and expansion.
Chassidic Interpretation
The Sfat Emet notes that the word "הֵחֵל" (began) shares a root with "חולין" (profane), suggesting that as humanity multiplied, they began treating sacred matters as mundane. The birth of daughters - representing receptivity and nurturing - became corrupted into mere physical relationships rather than spiritual partnerships.